In negotiations, humor disarms the ego

[Jon Q.]

Humor, a good way to disarm the ego.

Heres a conversation that I just had with my real estate broker in Charlotte in regard to acquiring a particular property...

Me to my Real Estate Broker:

“Tell the seller that I will take him and his other owners in Charlotte to dinner if he excepts my offer.”

-A few minutes later-

Real Estate broker:

“All right you are all crazy! Their counter was 127 and the agent says will wear a dress to closing! You guys are killing me!”

Me:

“Hey, is the agent a man?”

“Tell him, that will definitely not work for me. I prefer women in dresses. But still happy to take them all to dinner. No dresses allowed. Unless an owner is female, obviously”.